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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Smyth Companies Expands Bedford, Virginia, Printing Plant

07/12/2018
Smyth Companies, a leader in the printing and packaging industry, invested $6.5 million in new equipment at its printing operation in the Town of Bedford, Virginia.

The company, which acquired Bedford’s Piedmont Label Company in 1998, has purchased and installed a KBA Litho press and a new Comco roll-fed press. Smyth Companies will receive funding from the Virginia Jobs Investment Program (VJIP) to support the retraining of 28 existing employees on the new machinery.

“Smyth is always looking to invest in new technology and innovation,” said Scott Fisher, President of Smyth Companies. “We have installed two new presses, a KBA and a Comco, and initiated extensive employment training at Smyth-Bedford with the help of the grant from the Commonwealth of Virginia and Bedford County. This cutting-edge technology broadens our capabilities for printing thin film injection-mold labels, and includes a new adhesive coating system for specialty secondary manufacturing.”

Our customers in the mid-Atlantic will benefit from enhanced efficiencies, faster delivery times and innovative label solutions. Equally important to Smyth’s success and high-quality standards, is recognizing the value, the abundant talent and dedication, of the people within our organization. We are excited and grateful for the training and new opportunities that these presses will bring to our team as we continue to grow in the Bedford community,” he added.

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) will support Smyth Companies’ job retraining through its Virginia Jobs Investment Program. In addition, The Bedford County Economic Development Authority provided assistance to the company under a defined performance agreement.

“In our ever-changing economy, retraining keeps businesses competitive and ensures that people can strengthen their skill sets for quality, well-paid jobs that allow greater opportunity for advancement,” said Governor Ralph Northam. “Smyth Companies has been a valuable corporate citizen in the Town of Bedford in Bedford County for nearly a century, and we are honored that they continue to reinvest in their Virginia operation,” he added.

Delegate Terry Austin explained; “Working with the Virginia Jobs Investment Program, Smyth Companies was able to leverage VEDP’s resources to maintain its competitive advantage while providing its employees the opportunity to learn new skills on advanced machinery. The Bedford County Economic Development Authority and the Town of Bedford were instrumental in facilitating this wonderful news by creating an environment for small business to thrive.”

Henry Martin Smyth founded Smyth Printing in 1877 in the frontier town of St. Paul, Minnesota. Originally established to help local businesses with their commercial printing needs, the company eventually turned its focus to the production of labels for consumer product goods packaging. Smyth maintains two distinct types of production facilities, roll-fed and sheet-fed, and has operations in Arizona, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

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